Regenerative Medicine

Serving Midland, Odessa and Surrounding Areas

Viscosupplementation

Viscosupplementation, often referred to as rooster-comb injections, in which injections of hyaluronic acid are used to improve knee function, is an alternative to pain medication for treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Those with osteoarthritis often have a low level of hyaluronic acid in their joints. Hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring substance found in joint fluid, acts as a lubricant so that bones move smoothly, and as a shock absorber so that joints can bear weight. During viscosupplementation, hyaluronic acid is injected directly into the knee joint; it is typically administered in a series of 1 to 5 injections over several weeks’ time.

Benefits of viscosupplementation include the following:

Reduction in pain

Improved mobility

Reduction in swelling and inflammation

Effects last for several months

It can take several weeks for patients to experience full symptom relief after hyaluronic-acid injections. Side effects associated with viscosupplementation are temporary, and include injection-site pain, swelling, redness and rash; bruising around the joint, or fluid accumulation in the knee. If these reactions occur, they are usually mild and do not last long. Viscosupplementation is most effective for mild-to-moderate cases of osteoarthritis, and may be a good option when osteoarthritis has not responded to anti-inflammatory medication or corticosteroid injections.

Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) Injections

Platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) injections use components of the body’s own blood to stimulate healing. Platelets, which are usually associated with coagulation (clotting), are also, according to recent research, able to assist in mending and strengthening damaged tissue by increasing certain growth factors. During the normal healing process, the body uses platelets to promote new-tissue growth and repair injuries. By supplementing platelet content, the healing process is accelerated.

Platelet-rich-plasma injections can be used to treat a wide range of orthopedic conditions, including the following:

Arthritis

Tendonitis

Bursitis

Joint pain

Ligament sprains or tears

Nerve inflammation

Postsurgical healing from tendon or ligament repair

During the PRP-injection procedure, which usually incorporates ultrasound imaging, a small amount of blood is withdrawn from the patient. This blood is processed in a centrifuge to separate its various elements, and concentrate the platelets. The resulting plasma is up to five times more concentrated with platelets than “natural” blood. Once concentrated, the platelets are loaded, along with some of the patient’s whole blood, into a sterile syringe, and injected into the patient.